Frontenacs 50th

February 28, 2013

Today’s installment in a daily series that recalls the story of the 1962-63 Kingston Frontenacs, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their Eastern Professional Hockey League championship season:

Fifty years ago today, Thursday, Feb. 28, 1963

Teams in the league are becoming desperate to sell tickets. Of such desperation comes imagination.

A report from Ottawa says that Hull-Ottawa Canadiens general manager Sam Pollock, for instance, has sent 2,500 letters to firms, organizations and fans in a bid to drum up business. Each letter will be followed by a personal visit by a member of the club. The team is offering discounts for games March 6 against St. Louis, the last-place team in the EPHL, and an interlocking game March 13 against International Hockey League opponent Port Huron.

Pollock learned his craft well. We went on to mastermind a series of Stanley Cup championship teams in Montreal.